Superheated vapor generator system and method

Abstract

An improved vapor generator and control system includes a vaporization chamber for generating superheated vapor from liquid therein and at least one input connectable to liquid supply and adjustable control for controlling input of liquid into the vaporization chamber whereby output of superheated vapor is controllable while the system is in operation. A method for fabricating vapor generators includes the steps of providing at least two separate parts of a vapor generator, fastening the parts together to form a vapor generator defining a vaporization chamber and providing a capability to connect input control for control of input of liquid to the vaporization chamber. A method for cleaning selected objects comprises the steps of generating superheated vapor and controlling output of superheated vapor terms of volume and/or pressure and/or direction by adjustably controlling in an ongoing manner volume, pressure, and velocity of the liquid being subjected to vaporization. A method of propulsion comprises the steps of generating superheated vapor and adjustably controlling output of superheated vapor to provide propulsion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An improved vapor generator and control system comprising:
 (1) a vaporization chamber for generating superheated vapor substantially instantaneously from liquid upon its entry therein, said vaporization chamber defining at least one input for input therethrough of liquid for vaporization in said vaporization chamber; 
 (2) liquid supply means connectible to said vaporization chamber for supplying liquid thereto through said input; and 
 (3) adjustable control means for adjustably controlling ongoing input of liquid from said liquid supply means during ongoing input of said liquid from said liquid supply means into said vaporization chamber, adjustment of liquid input by said adjustable control means being substantially simultaneously reflected in adjustment of output of superheated vapor, whereby output of superheated vapor is highly precisely adjustably controllable while said system is in operation. 
 
     
     
       2. The invention as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said adjustable control means adjustably controls volume of liquid input into said vaporization chamber and thereby adjustably controls volume of output of superheated vapor from said vaporization chamber. 
     
     
       3. The invention as set forth in  claim 1  further including at least one output port for output therethrough of superheated vapor from said vaporization chamber, said at least one output port including means connectable to output control means for controlling output from said vaporization chamber. 
     
     
       4. The invention as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said adjustable control means for adjustably controlling input of liquid into said vaporization chamber adjustably controls pressure of liquid input into said vaporization chamber and thereby adjustably controls pressure of output from said vaporization chamber. 
     
     
       5. The invention as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said output control means controls volume of output from said vaporization chamber. 
     
     
       6. The invention as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said output control means comprises at least one valve member. 
     
     
       7. The invention as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said output control means includes means for directing in a selected direction superheated vapor from said vaporization chamber. 
     
     
       8. The invention as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said output control means comprises at least one valve member. 
     
     
       9. The invention as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said output control means is adjustable for directing superheated vapor from said vaporizing chamber in a plurality of selected directions. 
     
     
       10. The invention as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said at least one valve member comprises a plurality of valve members at least two of which are adjustable to direct output superheated vapor in substantially perpendicular directions. 
     
     
       11. The invention as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said output port is connectable to at least one object to which superheated vapor is to be directed. 
     
     
       12. The invention as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said output control means is connectable to at least one object to which superheated vapor is to be directed. 
     
     
       13. The invention as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vaporization chamber has at least a portion of an inner surface which is rough. 
     
     
       14. The invention as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vaporization chamber has at least a portion of an inner surface which defines at least one groove. 
     
     
       15. The invention as set forth in  claim 14  further including at least one groove other than the first-mentioned groove and wherein said first-mentioned groove and said second-mentioned groove intersect. 
     
     
       16. The invention as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vaporization chamber has at least a portion of an inner surface which defines a plurality of grooves. 
     
     
       17. The invention as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said plurality of grooves vary substantially randomly in depth in a range substantially 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch. 
     
     
       18. The invention as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said output control means is configured to be hand-held by an operator and to be controlled by said operator. 
     
     
       19. The invention as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vaporization chamber has at least a portion of an inner surface which includes at least one perforation. 
     
     
       20. The invention as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vaporization chamber has at least a portion of an inner surface which includes at least one irregularity. 
     
     
       21. A method of fabricating a superheated vapor generator and control system comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing at least two separate parts of a vapor generator; 
 (b) fastening said parts together to form a superheated vapor generator defining a vaporization chamber, with at least one input thereto, said superheated vapor generator having capability for substantially instantaneous vaporization of liquid upon entry thereof into said vaporization chamber; 
 (c) providing liquid supply means connectible to said input of said vaporization chamber for supplying liquid thereto; and; 
 (d) providing adjustable control means for adjustably controlling ongoing input of liquid into said vaporization chamber during said ongoing input of liquid, adjustment of liquid input by said adjustable control means being substantially simultaneously reflected in adjustment of output of superheated vapor thereby providing the capability of highly precisely adjustably controlling output of superheated vapor from said vaporization chamber without requiring said system to cease operation. 
 
     
     
       22. The method as set forth in  claim 21  further including the step of providing control means at the output of said vapor generator. 
     
     
       23. The method as set forth in  claim 21  further including the step of defining at least one groove in at least a portion of an inner surface of at least one of said ports. 
     
     
       24. The invention as set forth in  claim 21  further including the step of defining a plurality of grooves in at least a portion of an inner surface of at least one of said ports, such that said grooves vary in depth substantially randomly in height and depth in the range of 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch. 
     
     
       25. The invention as set forth in  claim 22  wherein said output control means are adjustable to control the direction of superheated vapor from said vaporization chamber.